UAE and South Africa are looking to enhance trade relations and support joint economic growth

Abu Dhabi, September 3 / WAM / His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al -Zyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, met the members of the South African Business Council in the UAE, where ways to enhance trade and investment were discussed and consolidated cooperation between the business community and the private sector in the two countries.
This meeting comes in a translation of the UAE’s commitment to strengthening its economic relations with African countries, based on its increasing awareness of the vital role that the continent plays in the global trade system and the global economy.
During the meeting, His Excellency praised the record growth in the volume of trade exchange between the UAE and the Republic of South Africa, where non -oil foreign trade between the two countries amounted to 8.5 billion US dollars in 2024, achieving 14% growth compared to 2023, and a noticeable increase of 120% compared to 2019.

According to 2024 data, South Africa is the second largest trade partner for the UAE in the African continent.

This commercial prosperity also continued in the first half of 2025, when non -oil trade exchanges recorded $ 3.93 billion, reflecting the capabilities and great opportunities for the private sector in both countries to enhance trade and investment relations.
His Excellency Dr. Thani Al -Zyoudi said that the UAE is committed to strengthening its economic partnership with the Republic of South Africa, where discussions today focused on exploring new horizons for cooperation between the business community and the private sector in the two friendly countries, in order to achieve the common benefit of both sides, by building new partnerships in projects related to food security, logistical services, infrastructure, tourism and renewable energy in South Africa and throughout the continent. Through this cooperation, we continue to open new horizons that contribute to pushing joint economic growth and achieving the development goals of both sides.
The meeting of His Excellency Al -Zyoudi with members of the South African Business Council formed a platform to discuss a number of initiatives aimed at benefiting from the existing commercial frameworks to achieve mutual benefits.

His Excellency stressed during the meeting the importance of investing in projects that are in line with the sustainable development goals, and contribute to providing job opportunities and achieving long -term economic value in Africa.
The meeting concluded by emphasizing the two sides to move forward in exploring new cooperation projects that contribute to strengthening trade and economic relations between the UAE and the Republic of South Africa, and paved the way for a more prosperous and advanced future for both countries.
It is noteworthy that more than 3690 South African companies are currently operating in the UAE, in major sectors that include construction, hospitality and financial services, and others, as well as many Emirati companies in South Africa, such as “Dubai World Ports” in the logistical services sector, and Amea Power participates in renewable energy generation projects.
It is noteworthy that South Africa is the largest source in the African continent, and it has the highest local product of my total name on the continent, which enhances its position as a promising market, especially in the food, transportation and renewable energy sectors, which formed the most prominent axes of discussion during the meeting.

• For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and